Countermeasure method in a microcircuit, miccrocircuit therefore and smart card comprising said microcircuit

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a countermeasure method in a microcircuit comprising a processor capable of performing operations one of which consists in processing at least a secret datum, said microcircuit including at least a non-volatile storage containing the secret datum or data, at least a work storage, said storage units being connected via a bus to said processor. The invention is characterised in that the method comprises injecting on the bus several random data between data derived from operations performed by the processor, said random data being designed to reload or unload the bus randomly. The invention is applicable to smart cards.

[0001] The present invention relates to a countermeasure method in a microcircuit.

[0002] It also relates to a microcircuit implementing the method and portable media of smart card type having such a microcircuit.

[0003] It should be noted that a microcircuit for portable devices such as smart cards has an architecture formed around a processor (or microprocessor) comprising a controller and an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) connected by a bus to memories, including a non-volatile program memory which contains the sensitive data item or items (secret keys) of a cryptography algorithm for example. The controller manages the input/output signals I/O (instructions, addresses, data) and the arithmetic and logic unit performs arithmetic operations on the data on command of the controller.

[0004] Such microcircuits are used in smart cards for certain applications, for example applications for accessing certain data banks, banking applications, remote charging applications, for example for television, petrol dispensing or passing through motorway tolls.

[0005] The invention is applicable most particularly to the security of sensitive data in media such as smart cards. It concerns secret data manipulated by the processor of the microcircuit and liable to pass over the bus connecting the memories to this processor.

[0006] The invention is applicable to the security of secret information such as the secret code of the user of a smart card or the electronic keys used in cryptographic calculation operations for the encryption and/or authentication and/or electronic signing of messages.

[0007] The invention is applicable in particular in the case of the implementation of secret key cryptography algorithms or of so-called public key algorithms. Such algorithms are used in applications where the access to services or to data is strictly controlled.

[0008] Amongst the secret key cryptography algorithms there can be cited the DES (Data Encryption Standard) algorithm. Other secret key algorithms exist, like the RC5 algorithm or the COMP128 algorithm. This list is of course not exhaustive.

[0009] Amongst the public key cryptography algorithms there can be cited RSA (Rivest Shamir and Adelman), El Gamal, Schnorr, Fiat Shamir, or DSA or DSS.

[0010] Briefly and in general terms, the aim of these algorithms is to perform cryptographic calculations from a host system (server, cash dispenser, etc.) and the secret key or public and secret keys contained in the card, and to supply in return to the host system an encrypted message or to allow an authentication of the microcircuit (of the card), or to sign messages.

[0011] The entire security of these cryptography algorithms relies on the fact of being able to keep secret the data which must remain so. In the case of cryptographic algorithms, the secret key or keys cannot be deduced solely from knowledge of the information exchanged between the card and the outside world.

[0012] However, it has appeared that from external attacks, based on current consumptions or a differential current consumption analysis when the cryptography processor or the processor of a smart card performs calculation operations entailing the manipulation of secret data, such manipulations allow ill-intentioned third parties to find the secret key contained in this card by carrying out attacks referred to as DPA (Differential Power Analysis) attacks.

[0013] The principle of these DPA attacks relies on the fact that the current consumption of the processor executing instructions varies according to the data manipulated.

[0014] In particular, when an instruction executed by the processor requires manipulation of a data item bit by bit, there are two different current profiles depending on whether this bit is equal to “1” or “0”. Typically, if the processor is manipulating a “0”, there is at that execution instant a first amplitude of the consumed current and, if the processor is manipulating a “1”, there is a second amplitude of the consumed current, different from the first.

[0015] Thus the DPA attack exploits the difference in the current consumption profile in the card during execution of an instruction according to the value of the bit manipulated. Simplified, the course of a DPA attack consists in identifying one or more particular periods in the progression of the algorithm comprising the execution of at least one instruction manipulating data items bit by bit; of plotting a very large number N of current consumption curves during this or these periods, one curve per different message to which the algorithm is applied; of predicting, for each curve, the value taken by one bit of the data item for an assumption on a subkey, that is to say on at least part of the secret key, which allows the prediction to be made; and of sorting the curves according to the corresponding Boolean selection function: a first bundle of curves is obtained for which the prediction is equal to “1” and a second bundle of curves is obtained for which the prediction is equal to “0”. By performing a differential analysis of the mean current consumption between the two bundles of curves obtained, an information signal DPA(t) is obtained.

[0016] If the subkey assumption is not true, each bundle in actual fact comprises as many curves corresponding to manipulation of a “1” as curves manipulating a “0”. The two bundles are therefore equivalent in terms of current consumption and the information signal is substantially zero. If the subkey assumption is true, one bundle actually comprises the curves corresponding to manipulation of a “1” and the other bundle actually comprises the curves corresponding to manipulation of a “0”: the information signal DPA(t) obtained is not zero: it comprises consumption peaks corresponding to manipulation by the processor of the bit on which the sort was based. These peaks have an amplitude corresponding to the difference in consumption by the processor depending on whether it is manipulating a “1” or a “0”. Thus, gradually, it is possible to discover all or part of the secret key contained in a microcircuit.

[0017] There are numerous algorithms for the execution of which the processor or an associated calculation unit (cryptoprocessor) has to perform bit-by-bit data manipulations at certain moments.

[0018] This is the case in particular, as has been said, for cryptographic algorithms. By analysing the current consumption during the execution of these bit-by-bit manipulations, it is possible to find the value of at least certain bits of the manipulated data item. The knowledge of this data item can provide information on intermediate results obtained during execution of the cryptography algorithm, which in their turn can make it possible to find at least some of the bits of the secret key used.

[0019] The applicant realised that such an attack can be carried out from observing the current consumption variations related to transitions of binary values on the microcircuit bus. This is because the applicant observed that the change of state between two bits of the same significance from one data item to another would cause a higher consumption than in the case where there is no change of state. Thus, transitions leave a signature for the data which flow on the bus. This situation is of course very prejudicial where these data are secret data.

[0020] The aim of the present invention is to solve this problem.

[0021] Its object is to protect the data on which bit-by-bit manipulations are performed, by applying thereto a countermeasure, that is to say interference, so that analysis of the current consumption during transitions from one data item to the next passing over the bus reveals no information on these data items: the information signal DPA(t) will always be the same in DPA attacks.

[0022] As claimed, the invention relates to a countermeasure method in a microcircuit comprising a processor capable of performing operations, one of which consists in manipulating at least one secret data item, at least one non-volatile memory containing the secret data item or items, and at least one working memory, said memories being connected by a bus to said processor, principally characterised in that the method comprises the injection onto the bus of a number of random data items between data items originating from operations performed by the processor.

[0023] According to another characteristic, the method consists in activating the injection onto the bus of a number of random data items during a period during which the secret data item or items are being manipulated, and of inhibiting the injection of said random data items outside these periods.

[0024] According to another characteristic, the operation consisting in manipulating a secret data item is implemented by a cryptographic algorithm.

[0025] The cryptography algorithm can be a secret key algorithm.

[0026] This cryptography algorithm can alternatively be a public key algorithm.

[0027] The secret data item can be a personal identification code.

[0028] The invention also relates to a microcircuit for a portable device of smart card type, comprising a processor capable of performing operations, one of which consists in manipulating at least one secret data item, at least one non-volatile memory comprising the secret data item or items, and at least one working memory, connected by a bus to said processor, principally characterised in that it comprises a random data generator, and a multiplexer comprising an input connected to the output of the random data generator which is connected to the input/output bus of the processor in order to inject random data items onto this bus on command of the processor.

[0029] The random data generator is activated by a clock signal with a frequency higher than that of the processor.

[0030] The clock signal can be a multiple of the processor clock signal which can be generated internally (internally to the processor) or come from outside (from contact pads of the smart card in which the microcircuit is installed).

[0031] The microcircuit has a logic circuit capable of supplying said clock signal which is a multiple of the processor clock signal.

[0032] When the microcircuit has a number of buses, the means for injecting random data items are implemented by a macro-instruction.

[0033] The invention also relates to a smart card, comprising a microcircuit as has just been presented.

[0034] Other particular features and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from a reading of the description produced below and which is given by way of a non-limitative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035]FIG. 1 depicts a simplified architecture of a microcircuit capable of implementing the method according to the invention;

[0036]FIGS. 2A to 2G depict the operating signals of the microcircuit;

[0037]FIG. 3 depicts a detailed implementation diagram of one embodiment of the microcircuit according to the invention.

[0038]FIG. 1 depicts a simplified microcircuit, that is to say-only the elements necessary for understanding the invention.

[0039] In the case of an installation in a smart card, the microcircuit has the architecture of the micromodule of the card that is to say it has: a main processing unit 1 (called the processor) comprising a controller 11, one or more buses 12 for connecting the unit 1 to associated memories consisting of at least one program memory M1 (non-volatile of ROM type), at least one working memory M2 (of RAM type), and at least one electrically programmable program memory M3 (of EEPROM type). The microcircuit can also have a calculation unit 2 (cryptoprocessor) for implementing modular exponentiation calculations as is the case for example in the case of execution of the RSA (Rivest Shamir Adelman) public key cryptographic algorithm.

[0040] For implementing the countermeasure method according to the invention, the microcircuit shown schematically in this FIG. 1 also has a random number generator 3 activated by a clock H and a multiplexer 4 activated by a signal C controlling its output S. The microcircuit also has a system 5 for management of the information flowing on the bus B (of the type of a multiplexer with two inputs e1, e2 and one output s) controlled by the controller 11. In the case of a read from a memory, the system 5 makes it possible to directly connect the arithmetic and logic unit 12 to the memories M1, M2, M3; in the case of a write to a memory the output of the multiplexer 4 goes onto the bus B.

[0041] The controller 11 of the microcircuit can be associated with a cryptographic operator 2 as already specified and manipulate one or more secret data items.

[0042] For simplification, the case will be taken of a single manipulated secret data item (which is the case for example in the implementation of a secret key algorithm or of a PIN code (Personal Identifier Code). This data item is stored in a secure manner in the non-volatile program memory M1 associated with the processor 11.

[0043] During execution of a cryptography operation or verification of the identification code (PIN), the processor will, according to the invention, perform one or more interrupts so as to inject random data items onto the bus 12 (a bus over which the secret data items are then liable to pass).

[0044] In fact, during the execution, initiated by the processor, of an instruction which comprises for example the writing of a secret data item, the latter will then pass over the bus B in order to go into the working memory M2 with a view to the processing to be performed with this data item. A series of data items will consequently pass over the bus B for each operation executed; these data items are commands and data “useful” for the processing performed. According to the method of the invention, the processor is capable of issuing an interrupt which can be triggered by the secret data manipulation program itself (in this case the cryptography program), having the aim of interrupting the execution of the instruction in progress, of saving the context in the registers and of triggering the insertion of random data items (generated by the generator 3) onto the bus B. The signal interrupting the execution of the instruction in progress can be used as the control signal C for the multiplexer 4.

[0045]FIGS. 2A to 2G illustrate the operating signals of the microcircuit.

[0046] The processor clock signal CLK is depicted in FIG. 2A.

[0047]FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a clock signal H for controlling the random generator 3.

[0048] A clock frequency H higher than the processor clock CLK is chosen so that a number of random data items DA₁, DA_(n) can be injected between the instant at which the execution of an instruction is interrupted and its resumption. These random data items are thus injected between data items transmitted by the bus B between these two instants. The aim of the random data items is to randomly reload or unload the bus.

[0049] The insertion of a number of data items makes it possible to obtain the expected result.

[0050] A clock H faster than the processor clock CLK, for example a multiple thereof, is chosen so as to send at least two random data items.

[0051] The data items, whether commands or data to be processed, are illustrated on the graph of the bus in FIG. 2C.

[0052]FIG. 2D illustrates the progression of the execution of an instruction and its interruption upon receipt of the interrupt signal. This interrupt makes it possible to generate the signal C controlling the output of the multiplexer, illustrated in FIG. 2E.

[0053] The write control signal issued by the processor is illustrated in FIG. 2F.

[0054]FIG. 2G illustrates the data items DA generated by the random generator 3.

[0055]FIG. 2E illustrates an example of a control signal C for activating the multiplexer 3. According to the example illustrated, when the signal C is at 0, the multiplexer delivers at its output S the signal received on its input E1, and when the signal C is at 1, it delivers the data received on its input E2; this signal C is, according to this example, at 1 in the presence of an instruction execution interrupt issued by the processor.

[0056] The input E1 of the multiplexer 4 corresponds to the output data of the processor (ALU).

[0057] The data received on the input E2 are the data issued by the generator 3.

[0058]FIG. 3 depicts a detailed example of one embodiment of the invention.

[0059] When the microcircuit is installed in a smart card it also has an interface 13 for communication with the outside world depicted schematically in this figure. This interface comprises the contact pads of the smart card intended to receive the clock signal CLK, the voltage signals Vcc and Vss, a reset to zero signal Reset, and the input/output signals I/O. It also has an asynchronous transmission unit.

[0060] In the implementation which is going to be described, the clock H is obtained from a logic circuit 5 multiplying the clock signal CLK. This circuit 5 consists for example of gates 51 in series introducing a delay. The delay can be T/4 (T being the period of the clock CLK), and makes it possible in this case to inject at least two random data items between two data items passing over the bus.

[0061] The control C is generated by the processor programmed to that end.

[0062] A logic circuit could be provided to that end.

[0063] When the microcircuit has a number of buses, the functions which have just been described can be implemented not by circuits, but by a macro-instruction provided to that end. 

1. A countermeasure method in a microcircuit comprising a processor capable of performing operations, one of which consists in manipulating at least one secret data item, at least one non-volatile memory containing the secret data item or items, and at least one working memory, said memories being connected by a bus to said processor, characterised in that the method comprises the injection onto the bus of a number of random data items between data items originating from operations performed by the processor, the aim of these random data items being to randomly reload or unload the bus.
 2. A countermeasure method in a microcircuit according to claim 1, characterised in that it consists in activating the injection onto the bus of a number of random data items during a period during which the secret data item or items are being manipulated, and of inhibiting the injection of said random data items outside these periods.
 3. A countermeasure method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the operation consisting in manipulating a secret data item is implemented by a cryptographic algorithm.
 4. A countermeasure method according to claim 3, characterised in that the cryptography algorithm is a secret key algorithm.
 5. A countermeasure method according to claim 3, characterised in that the cryptography algorithm is a public key algorithm.
 6. A countermeasure method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the secret data item is a personal identification code.
 7. A microcircuit for a portable device of smart card type, comprising a processor capable of performing operations, one of which consists in manipulating at least one secret data item, at least one non-volatile memory (M1, M3) comprising the secret data item or items, and at least one working memory (M2), connected by a bus (B) to said processor, characterised in that it has means for injecting random data items onto this bus on command of the processor.
 8. A microcircuit for a portable device according to claim 7, characterised in that the means for injecting random data items onto the bus comprise a random data generator (3), and a multiplexer (4) comprising an input (E2) connected to the output of the random data generator which is connected to the bus (B).
 9. A microcircuit for a portable device according to claim 8, characterised in that the random data generator is activated by a clock signal (H) with a frequency higher than that of the processor.
 10. A microcircuit for a portable device according to claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the clock signal (H) is a multiple of the processor clock signal (CLK).
 11. A microcircuit for a portable device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that it has a logic circuit (5) capable of supplying said clock signal (H) which is a multiple of the processor clock signal.
 12. A microcircuit for a portable device according to claim 7, characterised in that, when the microcircuit has a number of buses, the means for injecting random data items are implemented by a macro-instruction.
 13. A smart card, characterised in that it comprises a microcircuit according to any one of claims 7 to
 12. 